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Local News for Wednesday 7th December 2016

Ferry disruptionStrong winds are affecting the ferry timetable today, with the early sailings on the Sound of Barra cancelled and a review due at 8.30am. The 08am sailing from Castlebay to Oban was brought forward to 6am and the 13:40 sailing from Oban this afternoon has been delayed until 6am on Thursday 8th December. There’s no service between Mallaig, Oban and Lochboisdale today and Sound of Harris services may also be disrupted.

Candles from Sandwick to the worldAn island mum, who started off making candles for her children's teachers, is now supplying to an international children's charity. Theirworld, which is run by Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, placed an order for a unique candle from Sandwick Bay Candles and Megan Macdonald is hard at work on her second order, a festive candle called ‘Promise’, inspired by mistletoe. 250 of the soy-based candles are heading for Theirworld. A spokesman said: "We asked Megan to make the candle because they are beautifully made and natural. Sarah loves the mistletoe and thinks the candle is fresh, zesty and warm”. Theirworld is a global charity which aims to help all children fulfil their potential. It works in countries including Nigeria, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey and is listened to at the United Nations. It is a world away from Lower Sandwick, where Megan, an occupational therapist in the Western Isles Hospital by day, makes her candles in the evenings and weekends. Megan said: "It's so exciting. I am making candles on my kitchen table that could be going to UN leaders."

Screen machine refitThe mobile cinema Screen Machine, which brings films including latest releases to Harris, Barra and the Uists, is to take time off for a refit after securing Lottery funding. Regional Screen Scotland, which operates the Screen Machine, has raised the necessary funds to carry out a major refit which will add at least six more years to its operational life. The Screen Machine is the UK’s only full-time self-contained mobile cinema, originally launched in 1998, with the current vehicle on the road since 2005. Robert Livingston, Director of Regional Screen Scotland, said; “The aim is to carry out the refit in France in April and May next year, relaunching in June.” Tarbert, Lochmaddy and Castlebay are all on the machine’s regular schedule, and films currently showing include Bridget Jones’ Baby and I, Daniel Blake.